The Bank of Albania, which is in charge of the country's price stability and manages 16 private banks, said Wednesday that the cash was stolen over time. It did not provide further details, but insisted that the bank's operations had not been affected and it was supplying the country's banking system with the necessary liquidity.

Local media reported that one of the suspects acknowledged the theft over the last four years, saying he had spent much of the money on gambling. The bank, police and judicial authorities declined to comment on the report.